Lasik Laser Eye Surgery

If a person wants to have certain vision problems corrected, then one of the best and most popular ways of achieving that is by having Lasik laser eye surgery. This procedure is gaining widespread acceptance because it gives people fast results, has very little chance of causing complications and infections, and recovery is quick as well. Even with that said, there are a few things that people need to do after Lasik eye surgery to avoid any problems.

One of the first things that people want to know when they are considering corrective eye surgery is how long it will take, after the surgery, before they are able to return to their normal daily activities. The good news is that recovery from this type of laser eye surgery is quite rapid and within a couple days after the procedure, most people can get back to life as normal, except without the hassle of needing their eyeglasses or their contact lenses.

In the days immediately after Lasik eye surgery has been done, the laser eye surgeons advise patients to avoid activities that could result in anything coming into contact with the eyes, such as in the form of rubbing, touching or poking. Also, for the first few hours immediately following the procedure, the patient should refrain from standing and should recline with their eyes closed as much as is possible.

Once these few hours have passed after surgery, the patient is then able to get back to their routine activities, either at home or at work. Still, rubbing the eyes should be avoided for a few days and if dryness or itchiness occurs, then the patient should used lubricating eye-drops to help alleviate the irritation and to sooth the eyes. Most Lasik eye center facilities will provide the patient with drops for their eyes for this very purpose.

After corrective eye surgery, it is also recommended that patients wear a soft protective eye-mask at night so that the affected eyes are buffered and protected from any inadvertent bumps, scraping or rubbing. This also helps to make sure that no foreign objects enter the eyes during this brief period of recovery from the Lasik vision surgery.

While there is historically very little occurrence of infections with laser eye surgery in general, some laser eye surgeons will prescribe antibiotics as a precaution. If antibiotics, or any other medications, have been prescribed, it is important to take these medications exactly as prescribed by the Lasik eye doctor. Also, most doctors will recommend that you drink plenty of water in order to be sure the eyes are properly hydrated during the healing process.

After Lasik eye surgery patients also should avoid showering, so that soap and water do no inadvertently get into the eyes. Doctors say that a Lasik patient is able to quickly resume normal activities such are reading, watching television and computer work but that they must take care to use artificial tears regularly to keep the repaired eyes moist and lubricated. By following these minimal guidelines, the Lasik patient can quickly enjoy their improved vision.

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Stories From the Lasik Surgery Waiting Room

As an experienced Lasik patient I thought I might give a glimpse into the worst part of the Lasik procedure… the waiting room.   I have had a Lasik procedure twice, the second being a follow up since one of my eyes needed additional work after the healing procedure was complete.  I was distinctly less nervous about the second procedure, and observed and talked to a number of the other Lasik clients that were waiting with me.

One was a young woman in her early twenties who talked incessantly trying to keep her mind off of any of the Lasik brochures and information on the table.  She had been thoroughly oriented to both the Lasik operation and post-op procedures, but had brought along a few stuffed animals to keep her company during the operation.  Most Lasik physicians recommend a minimum age of 18 due to sufficient maturity of the eye, but maybe waiting for some emotional maturity might be another factor.  On the other hand, I wondered what I looked and sounded like waiting for my first Lasik operation.

Talking to a few of the other Lasik clients, I realized I was not the only one in for a second Lasik procedure.  Two others were like me in that they did not get sufficient improvement in their vision to satisfy themselves or the Lasik surgeon.  In all of our cases, our first Lasik procedure of several months earlier went well, and none of us were particularly nervous.

It did surprise me, considering that it was 6:30 AM, of the variety of clothing styles of the Lasik clients.  Most of us, considering the hour and the rather frigid temperature of the Lasik operating room and the waiting room, were dressed in snug and warm sweat suits or other comfortable wear.  One Lasik patient was dressed in formal business attire with full makeup.

This puzzled me for at least two reasons: any makeup, lotions, or other things that could get into the eye are forbidden for at least 24 hours before the surgery, and it is highly recommended to go home and sleep as quickly as possible after the Lasik procedure.  The only thing I could figure out was that she wasn’t actually getting a Lasik procedure, but no one else is there at 6:30 AM.  Her dominating and withering look made me decide that any pre-Lasik conversation with her was better left unsaid.

I was probably the fourth person escorted into a waiting room for a final discussion on Lasik post-op procedures, but I could not tell how long I had been waiting.  I think they avoid clocks for a very good reason.  The lady two seats down from me was calm enough about her Lasik procedure to go back to sleep while waiting, which seemed like an eminently sensible idea.

Each patient is offered a mild sedative before the Lasik procedure starts.  It is mainly for psychological purposes, as my first Lasik experience was not painful at all.  I did take it for my first experience, but my own Lasik history and the others I have heard in the waiting room make me think that I don’t need it.  But I take it anyway, just in case.

I hope that this window into a Lasik waiting room helps give the attitude that for most people it is not a dreaded procedure, and for those of us that have had Lasik eye surgery performed, a rather uneventful one.  

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What Happens After the Lasik Procedure?

After you are fully prepared, the Lasik procedure takes less than fifteen minutes to complete for both eyes.  This will seem a remarkably short time to have a permanent change to your vision, and in this regard Lasik seems almost too good to be true.  In addition, most Lasik patients notice improved vision immediately or within a few hours after the Lasik procedure has been performed.

This does not mean that you should expect to walk out of the Lasik clinic with perfect vision and without any need to treat your eyes carefully for the next several days.  It also means that some Lasik patients will need more time to see the total results for the Lasik procedure, sometimes as much as six months for their vision to stabilize permanently.  Anticipate good vision, and take the time and care for the operation to produce its best result.

Usually the Lasik physician will give the post-procedure patient a protective shield for their eyes.  This should be worn as long as the physician specifies, and usually only at night for one or two nights.  He may also recommend sunglasses during the day if you experience sensitivity to light after the Lasik procedure is done.  Discuss these options in detail at the Lasik center before the operation, so you know how to best take care of your eyes.

Many patients at the Lasik centers often get eye drops to keep their eyes moist for some time after the Lasik procedure is done.  Again, this varies by patient and by physician, so ask about your particular situation, especially if you are prone to eye dryness on an occasional basis even before the Lasik procedure.  Also, it might be helpful to keep any ceiling fans or other air circulation devices off in the household for the first few days.

Most clients can return to work and normal daily activities the day after the Lasik procedure is done, and do not require any extra assistance from other friends or family members.  There is usually little to no post-operative discomfort after Lasik has been performed.  It is recommended that patients go to sleep as quickly as possible after the Lasik surgery in order to minimize any post-operative discomfort.  Upon waking, improved vision from the Lasik corrections should already start to be visible.

This improved vision may not be the final product of the Lasik eye surgery.  The improvement to nearsightedness after Lasik is usually quick and dramatic, though there may be some problems in reading easily for the first few days after the Lasik operation.  This is perfectly normal, and should clear up before the week is out.
Patients that use Lasik to improve their farsightedness usually find a dramatic improvement the day after the Lasik surgery.  It might be that there is a temporary blurring of objects in the distance, but this will resolve itself.  If this condition remains for more than a few days, the Lasik physician can recommend and prescribe temporary glasses until vision is stabilized.

These are all typical post-operative recommends for a Lasik patient, in order to feel comfortable with what to expect after the Lasik procedure.  As with any medical treatment, get all of your questions answered by the staff of your Lasik eye center for your individual case.

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